Chapter 288


    Another hour of walking resulted in them standing before a building that had a fair amount of noiseing from it, even being almost four hours since both suns had set.


    The smell of spices and food came from inside, and Max felt his stomach growl because he realized it had been a while since he had eaten anything that smelled this nice in ages.


    Moving beside Aimee, he saw the door that swung open wasn’t ss like so many but instead was metal.


    “We’re here. My mother told me about this ce, so we should be fine.”


    Inside they found much noise and the scent of something natural and clean. Max raised his head a little higher, studying the room.


    ss benches and tables lined the area,id out in three rows of three, while a few small tables and chairs sat along one section furthest away.


    A long section of lightly colored ss ran along the right, drinks sitting upon the top, and patrons were resting on blocks of ss.


    Even as they entered, theughter and conversations didn’t stop, but he sensed the looks they received uponing inside.“Wee to my shelter!”


    A cheerful voice called out, and Max turned to see a lizard maning toward them.


    “I am…” Max fought the trantion device that wanted to give him the meaning, instead hearing the name this time. “Gaomno! This is the Scaled Den and a safe ce for all those who worship Suljin!”


    Aimee bowed, and Max bent his head slightly.


    “Mypanion and I are in need of a room and something to eat. Forgive him if he does not remove his hood out here in the center of the room. I am called Aimee and was told by a friend that this was the best ce for me to stay and that the water is always pure here.”


    Max could feel the man studying him, but nothing else was asked as his Sonar revealed the grin that appeared and the way his neck seemed to expand.


    “Then you are most wee if you have been told toe. Please take one of the tables, and I shall get you a room and some food!”


    Aimee took Max and once again led him like some old, blind man to the corner of the room where an empty table and chairs were.


    She nodded at those they weaved around, and Max could understand only a few fragments of conversation that took ce inside the room.


    Sitting down on the chair, he ignored how firm it was, d to be able to see the entrance of the room.


    “Did you give the man a signal?”


    Aimee tapped his wrist.


    “What do you mean?”


    “ The water is always pure here . That seems very specific unless all the other ces in town don’t have water like that.”


    “You don’t miss anything, do you Max?” Aimee asked as she tapped her nails against the ss tabletop. “It was. It lets him know that I was sent by someone who was here a long time ago. That is why we were given this seat versus made to sit in the middle of the room.”


    “And this is your first time here?”


    “It is,” Aimee replied.


    “Yet you act like none of this is strange. You stood up to those guards without backing down, and even now look like you belong here. How?”


    “All my life I have been trained to be strong. Even if I am weak, I know how one should act,” Aimee stated as she moved closer to him. “Had I not stood my ground, they would have pushed harder. If I had not walked with you by myself to this city, I’m not certain I could have been ready for that moment. Every second my heart felt like it would burst, but if I hope to free you and gain the power I desire so badly, I must be what I wish to be.”


    She lowered her voice and leaned closer.


    “Never forget. Thisnd requires you to be hard. Everyone here will be hard, and if you are soft, Max, they will challenge you every moment.”


    It would appear your mantra is not limited to just my world. Are you there?


    No reply came, and Max wondered what his skill was still doing. If it had not found a solution to his cor, then he wouldn’t have any choice but to find one on his own.


    ***


    Both of them leaned back in their chairs, and Max wanted to lick his fingers as Aimee had hers, but he resisted the urge.


    Vegetables seasoned in spices had tickled his tongue. tbread that had the perfect texture held the vegetables perfectly, while small strips of some meat he didn’t ask about had rounded off the tiny rolls they had created.


    Each of them felt full, and Max had given hispliments twice already to Gaomno for the food.


    “If you are ready, the room is now clean and set up for you.”


    Both of them rose and followed Gaomno through a ss hallway and then to some stairs that spiraled upward. Tiny stones glowed with a soft blue light, each one set inside the wall every foot apart. It created a glow that reminded Max of the dungeons and the moss he had been in so many times.


    What kind of power and skill must a person have to create something like this? How much sand and mana did it take?


    Moving down a hallway at the top of the stairs, they were led to a metal door, and Max sensed their host give Aimee a key.


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    “I shall have food ready when you twoe down in the morning. If you need anything, do not hesitate to touch the panel and let me know.”


    Max watched as the man left and heard the sound of the key unlocking the door.


    Stepping inside behind Aimee, he sensed the room before a light turned on.


    Aimee had touched a ss with runes near the door, and six small stones illuminated in the ss room. Outside in the hall, the ss had been darker, but inside their room it was almost clear, causing the light to reflect and brighten up everything.


    A single bed was against the wall with nkets, and what had to be fresh grass of some kind was stuffed inside a pad.


    Other than a table and what Max guessed was a piss pot, the room was empty.


    Closing the door behind him, he took the key and locked the door on the inside.


    Behind him, he sensed Aimee moving to the bed, having removed the robe she had worn this whole time, and his mind tried to ignore the curves he felt appear from beneath the robes.


    “It would appear we must share this bed.”


    Her voice seemed excited, and Max took a few breaths.


    Letting them out, he shook his head.


    “Aimee… I… I have a woman I love on my world. I do not think—”


    Sheughed, and Max wanted to turn but didn’t until she had moved on the bed and pulled the cover over herself.


    “Foolish man. You haven’t earned that right, and while I have no doubt you could, do not assume this is anything more than not having to sleep on the hard floor. Trust me, it is not pleasant.”


    Max considered that thought and then frowned.


    “Is there water to bathe in? To wash with?”


    “I am not that rich, and I doubt Gaomno has enough water for such a thing.”


    He could smell himself as he stood there, and Max admitted that for seven days he hadn’t taken his pants off except to use the restroom a few times. Even now it had been three days since then, and he could feel the filth.


    Moving to where the ss container was on the floor, Max summoned a fireball and put it above the opening. It was clean and smelled fresh, so he summoned small shards of ice, letting them melt from the fire and drip inside the container.


    He could sense Aimee shifting in the bed, sitting up, and the nket not covering her top.


    “You are making water to bathe in? Why?”


    “I smell. I can smell myself, which means you must be able to smell me, and that isn’t what I want. Honestly, I can’t remember thest time I bathed or even wiped myself clean. I need to do this. Besides, this robe you got me… it smells horrible.”


    Aimeeughed and flopped back onto the mattress, sighing as she moved around.


    “Perhaps when you are finished, I would like to use some water like that.”


    Nodding, Max pulled off his robe and removed his boots.


    Setting them on the ground next to him, he winced at the smell that came from inside.


    I guess magical scent removal is too much to ask.


    Even though his feet were fine, unsure if it was from his regeneration skill or the boots, Max then took a deep breath, removing his pants and trying to ignore the gaze of Aimee as he dipped his hand in the water and started wiping himself down with it.


    It still held a chill, but none of that bothered him more than how the entire time he felt the eyes of hispanion on his back as he bathed himself.


    ***


    A tail, arm, and leg were draped across him, and Max tried to not move as he felt the hot breath of Aimee on his neck.


    She hadughed when he insisted on wearing his pants to bed.


    Now he was thankful for that as her scales touched his skin.


    “You’re awake,” Aimee muttered, slowly rolling over. “Thank you for keeping me warm. Get dressed, and then we can start looking for a ce to earn tokens.”


    Max nodded and slid off the bed, picking up his boots that were on the floor and moving to where his robe was hanging.


    It was mainly dry, so he channeled some heat into his hands and held it near the fabric, grateful some of the smell was gone.


    Aimee got dressed and moved next to him.


    “You are a strange race, Max. For someone with so much power, you act like a child, afraid to be touched.”


    “We all carry scars,” he replied, slipping the robe over himself, ignoring the damp sections of it.


    ***


    With the suns both shining, Max was d they had made these buildings ck ss. Even then, there was a shimmer to them, requiring a moment for his eyes to adjust upon walking outside.


    The city was bustling with carts passing by and the asional group of people moving together, carrying something on their shoulders.


    Aimee motioned to the left.


    “Gaomno says we need to head that way. We can find one who will help us get a few fights. I’m assuming we will need to get you a weapon?”


    Max nodded, and held out his empty hands.


    “Can we get a staff made from the wood of my old weapon? It seems to be very strong.”


    Grunting, Aimee nodded.


    “That is the stonewood tree. Magic created it, and they are abination of stone, wood, and masters of enhancement. Perhaps I can find someone with a piece they do not want, as they are not very cheap.”


    “If not, I can always just use my hands and my magic.”


    She nodded as they moved down the steps, weaving through some carts and others on the street, headed in the direction Aimee said they needed to go.


    “Perhaps… though if you keep that magic a secret at first, it may help our odds of finding better fights.”


    And once again, I’m risking my life for money…


    Batrire’s face appeared in his mind as they walked, and Max knew he would do what he must. Finding a way home meant doing anything.


    ?